Satellite Navigation
U.S. Policy and Management
The successful growth of GPS markets can be attributed to three key factors:
- The stability and performance of the GPS program;
- The stability and transparency of U.S. policies toward GPS; and
- Entrepreneurship and investment by the commercial sector.
The Air Force is responsible for the excellent, sustained performance of GPS. However, the U.S. policies are the product of interagency deliberations that include the Department of Commerce as a voice for commercial and civil GPS interests.
- U.S. Space-Based PNT Policy
- National Executive Committee
- National Coordination Office
- Advisory Board
U.S. Space-Based PNT Policy
The long-standing U.S. policy to provide open access to civil GPS signals -- free of direct user fees -- dates back to 1983, after the loss of Korean Airlines Flight 007 in Soviet airspace. Since that time, the U.S. government has reiterated this policy through Presidential directives, congressional law, and international agreements. It remains a fundamental tenet of the U.S. management of GPS.
The primary document addressing GPS access and related policy issues is the U.S. Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Policy, a Presidential directive signed in 2004. It replaced the U.S. GPS Policy of 1996, expanding the scope to include augmentations, foreign systems, and other topics.
The Commerce Department participated in the development of the space-based PNT policy and plays a key role in its implementation. The policy actively encourages commercial use of GPS by keeping the civil signals free of direct user fees and ensuring free access to the technical information needed to exploit the signals. The policy also calls for improved service to civilian users through GPS modernization and interoperability with foreign systems.
The space-based PNT policy establishes the national management structure for GPS policy matters, with Commerce Department participation at all levels (see following sections).
The policy also assigns the Department specific responsibilities with regard to system requirements, spectrum management, and promotion of GPS.
Read more about the national policy at PNT.gov...National Executive Committee
The National Executive Committee for Space-Based PNT is the high-level body established by the national policy to advise and coordinate federal departments and agencies on matters concerning GPS and related systems. It is co-chaired by the Deputy Secretaries of Defense and Transportation and includes the Deputy Secretary of Commerce, along with six other Executive Branch leaders.
The National Executive Committee meets at least twice each year to provide top-level guidance to the agencies on GPS-related issues, including program budgeting, international strategy, and interference mitigation. An Executive Steering Group (ESG), including senior officials from each member agency, convenes more frequently to resolve issues that do not rise to the level of the Deputy Secretaries.
The Department of Commerce serves on both the National Executive Committee and the ESG to represent the interests of the commercial and civil GPS communities. The Department's constituents include all private sector GPS users, manufacturers, and service providers. The Department also speaks for its own agencies, including NOAA, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The Office of Space Commercialization coordinates the Commerce Department's participation in the meetings of the National Executive Committee and ESG.
Visit the website of the National Executive Committee...National Coordination Office
The National Coordination Office (NCO) for Space-Based PNT serves as the secretariat for the National Executive Committee, carrying out its functions on a day-to-day basis and overseeing the implementation of its guidance. The NCO consists of eight to ten staff members on rotational assignment from the agencies.
The Department of Commerce houses the NCO within the Office of Space Commercialization, providing office space, equipment, information technology, financial management, travel support, and other logistical services. The Department also assigns personnel to serve in the NCO, including a senior analyst from the Office of Space Commercialization.
Read more about the NCO at PNT.gov...
The government is currently seeking candidates to serve as Director of the NCO. The position, sponsored by the Department of Transportation, is at the Senior Executive Service (SES) level and was held by Michael Shaw from November 2005 to June 2009. Applications are due September 21, 2009.
View the announcement...Advisory Board
The National Space-Based PNT Advisory Board is a federal advisory committee established to provide independent advice to the National Executive Committee. It consists of experts from outside the U.S. Government who make recommendations on U.S. policy, planning, program management, and funding in relation to the current state of national and international satellite navigation services.
The Commerce Department participates in the interagency process to identify and appoint members to the Advisory Board. Several of the current members were nominated by the Department due to their expertise on commercial GPS matters.
Read more about the Advisory Board at PNT.gov...
